Migration and Security - An Unusual Perspective?

• NCJ Number: 235561
• Journal: .Siak-Journal for Police Science and Practice, International Edition Volume: 1 Dated: 2011 Pages: 26-39
• Author(s): Linda Jakubowicz
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Austria

Annotation

This paper discusses the correlation of security, which is mandated as a responsibility of the state, and migration under various dynamic factors in a society experiencing the significant influence of migration, with attention to how these issues are currently linked in European countries.

Abstract

Security, which is the responsibility of the state to provide for its citizens, is multifaceted in terms of its tools and targets. It includes the military, police, economic security, environmental protection, and the security of cultural values. Migration - which involves a high volume of persons who are new entrants into a territory that has established structures for economic security, public safety, and cultural identity and well-being - can present a potential agenda for internal security. The legitimacy of immigration restrictions as a security issue for states is often justified as necessary in order to safeguard certain capacities of the state to provide public goods and entitlements to its residents. This state responsibility is in itself a significant issue since immigrants reside in the territory and therefore make demands on government services, possibly changing the extent to which long-time residents receive accustomed economic, educational, medical, and employment opportunities. Another security issue pertains to the psychological and social security of a homogenous culture whose values, experiences, and practices may be threatened by immigrants who introduce their own cultural values and practices into the host society. The security issue becomes even more intense if the state overtly or covertly targets immigrants as a threat to the status quo preferred by long-time residents. This can lead to the radicalization, alienation, discriminatory treatment, and increase of criminogenic factors among immigrants, which broadens security concerns faced by the state. 71 notes and 27 references